HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Advocate, 1887-12-29, Page 2SIR HUGHS LOVE,S,.
Fay's Secret WaS euite flafe Withelean,
ands an the Weeks sled months Went on a
feeling of utter security came over
filhe hert4Y knew how time Passed- %late
were hours when she ?4dnotalwaYe feel
wnhaPPYt The truth wne, she was, for a
tong time utterly bennuthed by gain e ,e
total collsPee 01 mind andbodY had ensued
on her flight from bees hoplet She had
suffered too much for her age and strmagthe
Sir Hugh's alarroing illness, and her
suspense and terror, had heen followed by
the shook of hearing Irene hie own lips of
hie love end engagement to Margeret s and,
before she could rally her forces to bear
this new blow, her babyhad-been bone
Fay need to wonder sometimes at her
own languid r indiffez•ence. "Am I really
able to live without. Flugh ?” elm wopld
to herself. " Ithonght it meet tsave killed
me long ago, knowing that he does not love
me; but somehow I do not feel able to
think of it all; and when I go to bed I fall
asleep."
. Faywas mercifully unconscious of her
•own hart -break, though the look in her
.eyes often made Mrs. Duncan weep. When
,she grew a little strongerher oldrestleesness
eirtnthed, and She went beyond the garden
and the orchard. Shenever wandered about
the village, people seemed to stare at her
sm.; hut her favorite haunt was the falls.
There was a steep little path by a wicket
gate ,thet led te a covered rustic bench,
where Fay could see tlse falls above htsr
shooting down like a silver streak frorn
under the single graceful era of the road.
way; not falling sheer down, but
broken ow many a ledge and boulder
of black rock, where in surnnser time
the spray beat on the long delicate fronds
of ferns.
Foy remembered how she used to stroll
through the underwood and gather the
slender blue and white harebells that
came peeping out ,of the green moss, or
hunted for the waxy blossoms of the bell -
heather; how lovely the place had looked
then, with the rowans or witches, as they
called them—the mountein esh of the
south, dreoping over the water, Wien
heavily with clusters of coral -like berries,
sometimes tinging the snowy foam with a
faint rose tint, and fringed in the back.
ground with larch and silver birch; the
whole mass of luxuriant foliage neerly
shutting out the little strip of sky which
gleamed pearly.blue through a delicate
network'of leaves.
It was an enchanting spot in summer or
aetumn, bet even in winter Fay loved it;
its solitude and peacefulness fascinated her.
Bet ope day she found its solitude invaded.
She had been some months at tbe Manse,
but she bad noe once spoken to the young
minister tiering his hrief visits. She had
kept to her room with a neryous shrinking
rom strangers; but She had watched him
sometime between tbe 'services, pacing up
and down the garden au though be were
thinking deeply.
.1i1e was a tall, broad -shouldered young
man, with a plain, strong -featured face
as rugged as his own mountains; but his
keen grey eyes could look soft enough
at time*, as pretty Lilian Graham knew
well ; for the wilful little beauty had been
unable to say no to biro as she did to her
other lovers. It was not easy to bid
Fergus Duncan go abont his business
when he had made up his mind to bide,
and as the young minister had decidedly
made UP his mind that Lilian Graham
should be his promised wife, he got
his way in that; and Lilian grew so
proud and fond of him that she
never found out how completely he
ruled her, and how seldom she had her
own will
Fay heard with some dismay , that Mr.
Fergus was coming to live at the Manse
after Christmas; she would have to see
him at meals, and in the evening, and
would have no excuse for retiring into her
room. Now, if any visitor came to the
Manse, Lilian Graham, or oneof her
sisters --for there were seven 'strapping
lasses at the farm, and not one of them
wed yet, as Mrs. Duncan would say—Fay
would take refuge in the kitchen, or sit in the
minist'er's room—anything to avoid the
curiouseyes and questioning that would
have awaited her in the parlor;
but now if Mr. Fergus lived there.
Lilian Graham would always be there to,
Mr. Fergus was rather curious about
Aunt Jeanie's mysterions •guest. He had
caught sight of Mrs. St, Clair once or twice
at the window, and had been much struck
with hee'appe youth s and his
remark; after s rs the little
kirk, had been, "Why, Aun
St. Clair looks quite a child; how
any one calling himself a man ill-use a
little creature like that ;" for Mrs. Duncan
had carefully infused into her nephew's
ear a little fabled account of Fay's escape
from her husband, to which he listened
with Scotch caution and a good deal of
incredulity. *" Depend upon it, there are
faults on both f3ides," he returned, obsti-
nately. "We do not deal in villains now -
a -days. You are so soft, A • on
always believe what p
should like to have a t
Clair; indeed, I thin
minister to remonstr
wife when she has left h
Oh, 'you will frigh
Fergus, if you speak an
replied his aunt in an alar
see you are only a lad yours
Lilian wouldn't care to have y
with your havers with a pretty you
like Mrs. St. Clair. Better leave her
Jean and me." But she might as well have
spoken to the wind, for the young
minister had made up his mind that
it 'Wag his duty to shepherd this stray
lamb.
Hebad already spoken out his mind to
Lilian; the poor little girl had been much
overpowered by the sight of Fay in the kirk.
Fay's beauty had made a deep impression
on her; and the knowledge that her
betrothed would be in daily contact
with this dainty piece of loveliness
was decidedly unpalatahle to her
feelings,
Lilian vsS s quite aware of her own
e
charms; her dimples and sweet youthful
\ bloom had already brought many a lover
to her feet ; but she was a sensible little
Creature iri spite of her Vanity, and sheknew
that she could not eompare With Mrs. St.
blair any more than painted delf Could
teepee° with procelain.
of honest team, and hewailedherselt bemuse
Fergns was to Hie up at the Meese, when
no one knew who, Mrs. S. Clair narght be,
for all he had Ile face like apietnre,
" 04, 04, I see now," reterned Fergus,
with jest the gleam of a sortie lighting pp
hie rugged febe ; " it is, juet tie piece of
jeilopey, lAlien,lsecanee Mrs. St, clir—to
vthom1 hem never epoken, Mine
happens to he e, peettiergiel than, youreeli,"
this restien, but because want to help
Yon.'
'Yes, 1 kneW You atern'Y gma," rePlied
Ftry, more gentie
" If you wouldonly treat. us, and give ue
your confidence," he continued earnestly
e went ,Teerne is not it womap of the world
but the has pleety of eommoe sense ; and
forgive me if I say you are very young and
may need guidance. You cannot hide from
—Whieh Was e Antr• lc 0 On that You are terY unhaPPY, and thetthe
Fergus.
husband you have left is still dear to you
<
"But you will be speaking to her, and at But Fay could bear no more; she
every meal -time too., and all the evenings rose with a low sob and left the room, and
when Mrs. Duncan is up in the minister's Fergus' little homily on wifely forbearanceroom ; and it is not what I call fair,Fergam was not finished.
with me down at the farm, and you always It was BO each time that he reopened
up in arms if I venture to give more thane the subject. Fay would listen up to tt cer-
good-day to the iago tain point, and seem touched by the
m -
wen, you see yoti, belong to me, Lilian, young minister's kindness and sympathy
and I am a careful man surd look after my but he could not induce her to open her
belongings. _Wes St. Clair, is one of my, heart to him. She was unhappy ---yes, she
flock now, and I must take her in hand. allowed that; she had no wish to leave her
Whisht, faSide," as Lilian averted her husband, but cirourastancee had been too
face and would not look at him, "have strong for her, and nothing would induce
you such a meth opinion of me that you her to admit that she had done wrong.
think I am not to be trusted to look at e Who would have thought that little
any WOLnan but yourself, and I a minister creature had SO much tenacity and will,"
with a Cure Of MOWS; that is a poor lookout Fergus said to himself, with a sort of
for our wedded life." And here Fergus vexed admiration after one of these con -
whispered something that brought the vereations ; "why, Lilian is a big woman
dimples into play spun; and after a little compared to Mrs. St. Clair, and yet my
more Judicious coaxing, Lilian was made to lessie has not a tithe of her spirit. Well,
understand that rninisterswere not just like I'll bide my time; but it will not be my
other men, and must be suffered tog° their fault if I fail to have a grip of her yet."
'sin gait." But the spring sunshine touched the
And the upshot of this conversation was rugged tope of Benanich-dhu and Ben-ne.
that Fay found herself confronted at the laourd before Fergus got hie "grip."
wooden gate one day by a tall, broad. He was taking his porridge one morning,
shouldered young man, whom she knew with an English paper lying beside his
was the young minister. Of course he was plate, when he suddenly started, and
going to see the falls, and she was about to seemed all at once very much absorbed in
pass him with a slight bow, when he stop- what he was reading. A few minutes
ped her and offered her his hand. "I think afterwards, when Fay was stooping over
we know each other, Mrs. St. Clair, without her boy, who lay on the carpet beside her,
any introduction. I am Fergus Duncan and sprawling in the sunshine, he raised his
I have long wanted to be acquainted Duncan,
eyes, and looked at her keenly from under
Aunt Jeanie's guest;" and then he held his bent brow.; but he said nothing, and
open the gate and essorted her back to the shortly afterwards went off to his study;
Manse. and when he was alone, he spread out the
Fay could not find fault with the young paper before him, and again studied it
man's bluntness; she had no right to hold intently.
herself aloof from Mrs. Duncan's nephew. A paragraph in the second column had
He must know bow she had avoided him attracted hie attention—
all these months, but he seemed too good. "A reward of two hundred pounds Is
humored to resent it. 4e talked offered to any person who can give such
to her very pleasantly about the weather information of Lady Redmond end her
and the falls and his uncle's health child as may lead to them being restored to
and Fay answered him with her usual their friends. All communications to be
gentleness. forwarded to Messrs. Green and Richard -
They parted in the porch mutually son, Lincoln's Inn." ,
pleased with each other; but the young And just abOve— •
rnan drew a long breath when he found him. " Fay, your husbead entreats you to
eelf alone. return to your home, or at least relieve his
" Ech, sirs 1 as Jean says, but this is the anxiety with respect to you and the child.
bonniest lase I have ever set eyes on. Poor Only come back, and all will be well.
little Lilian ! no wonder she felt herself a HUGH."
bit upset. Come, I must get to the bottom "And Hugh is the baby's name. Aye,
of this; Aunt Jeanie is too 'soft for any. my lady, I think I have the grip of you at
thing. Why, the sables she wore were last," muttered Fergus, as he dreaf the ink.
worth a furtune ; and when she took off stand nearer to him.
her gloves her diamond and emerald -rings The next morning Messrs. Green and
fairly blinded one." Richardson received a letter marked
Fergus arrived at the Manse with all his " private," in which the writer begged to
traps about a fortnight after this ; and be furnished without delay with full par.
when the first few day e were over, Fay ticulars of the appearance of the missing
discovered that she had no reason to dislike Lady Redmond, and her age and the age of
/Ir. Fergus' companythe child ; and the letter was signed,
,
He was always kind and good-natured, "Fergus Duncan, the Manse, Rowan
andtook a great deal of notice of the baby. Glen." '
Indeed, he never seemed more content than ' CHAPTER XLI.
When baby Hugh was on his knee, pulling ;mere Tee ROWANS.
his coarse reddish hair, and gurgling glee-
fully over this new game. Fay began to
like him very much when she had seen him
with her boy; and after that he found
little trouble in drawing her into converse.
tion.
His iirst victory was inducing her to
make friends with Lilian. Fay, who
shrank painfully from strangers, acceded
very nervously to this request.But when
Lilian came her shy, pretty manners won
Fay's heart, and the two became very fond
of each other.
Fergus used to have long puzzled talks
with Aunt Jeanie about her protege.
"What is to be done about Mrs. St. Clair
when Lilian and I are married?" he
would ask; the Manse cannot hold us
all."
"Ehead,that's what Jean and me often say;
but then the summer is not here yet, and
naaybe we can find a cottage in Rowan -
Glen, and there is Mrs. Deere over at
Carrie that would house them for a bit.
Mrs. St. Clair was speaking to me about it
yesterday. Where do they mean to live
when they are married?' she says quite
sensible -like. 'Is there anywhere else I
can to maim room for them?' And then
or bairn, and said she would
wen -Glen."
bserved Fergus one
se • 's writing, " don't
'ng if you stay
sager?" for
r on the
1 and
eh
like to stay
"Mrs. St. Clai
day, looking up fr
think people will be
• our husband an
e said a word
been hyste
••
•
with Mrs. .
t my duty as a
with a young
usband."
the bit lassie,
•k so stern,"
pice. "You
d maybe
eady
II •
, •
he ha
subject, only
had begged him not
"Oh," she said, turning ve
dropping her work, "why will you s
me of my husband, Mr. Fergusl"
"Because I think you ought togo baok
to him," he replied, in a quiet business -like
tone; "1* is a wife's duty to forgive—and
how do yon know that your husband has
itterly repented driving you away 1ron3
ould ypu harden your heart against
man?"
d does not want " she
spasm c
hi
a rep
14 My
returned, a
Should I hay
keep me? ' One .3
he said."
"Ar
t
e wanted to
st go,' that is what
e yo
es • but he fe
ough it would relievehi
that fellow down ; "a man
when he is angry which he w
to mean in his cooler moments.
" saw it written," wee the lo
then, with an effort to silence hi
Fergus, you do not know my bus
—you cannot judge between us. ,
riaht to leave him ; I could not do et
wise."
Was his name St. Clair?" he wig)
semewhat abruptly; and as Fay reddened'
under his scrutinizing glance, he continued'
rather' sternly, "please do net say yea' if
it be untrue; you do not look as though
you could deceive any one."
"My husband's name is St. Clair," re-
plied Fay, with as much displeasure as she
could assume. "1 am not obliged to tell
yen or aby on else that it is only his
second Mune. I have reasoes why 1 with
to keep the other to myself."
"Thank yen, Mrs. St. Clair," answered
%0 first she pouted and gave herself sire Fergus, nerved to irdmiration by this frankhen ,
er lever came to the farm, and then, nese and show of spirit; "believe ore, it is
Whenbe coaxed ber, she bunt into a flood through no feeling of idle curiosity I pet
erstood him?
e meonent as
ngs to knock
ay a thing
be sorry
it
Ir
• „ •
'ford 4 i
'. 6 "'eV '''64 '''9eeei seeggligigIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIgMisiee -reeves,
My wife, ;ny life.. 0 we will NV alk'this woilcl,
Yoked iu all exercise of noble end,
And so thro' those dark gates across the wild
That no man 6nows. Indeed I love thee: eoine,
•
Lay thy sweet bands in mine mid trust to me.
• Tennyson's "Princess."
Fergus was not kept long in suspense;
his letter was answered by return of post.
Messrs. Green tt Richardson had been evi-
dently struck with the concise, business-
like note they had received, and they took
great pains in furnishing him with full
particulars, and begged that, if he
had any special intelligence to impart, he
would writedirect to their client, Sir Hugh
Redmond, Redmond Hall, Singleton.
After studying this letter with
most careful attention Fergus came to the
conclusion that it would be as well to write
to Sir Hugh Redmond. He was very care-
ful to post this letter himself, and, though
he confided in no one, thinking a secret
is seldom safe with a woman, he could
not hide from. Lilian and Aunt Jeanie
that he was "a bit fasheci " about some-
thing.
.for it is not like our Fergus," observed
the old lady tenderly," to be stalking about
the rooms and passages like a eair-hearted
ghost."
Sir Hugh was sitting over his solitary
breakfast, with Pierre beside him, when, in
listlessly turning over his pile of letters, the
Scoteh postmark on one arrested his anon.
tion, and he opened it with some eagerness.
It was headed, "The Manse, Rowan -Glen,"
and wag evidently written by a stranger;
es, he had never heard the name Fergus
ncan.
"Dear Sir," it commenced, "two or
three days ago I saw your advertisement in
the Standard, and wrote at once to your
solicitors, Messrs. Green ce Richardson,
begging them to furnish me with the necess-
ary particulars for identifying the person
of Lady Redmond. The answer I received
from them yesterday has decided me to act on
their advice, and correspond personally with
ourself. My aunt, Mrs. Duncan, has had
ung married lady and her child staying
er• all the winter. She calls herself
Clair, though I may as well tell
she has owned to me that this is
usband's second name "—here
ed, and a sudden flush crossed
ived quite unexpectedly last
aiShe had been at the Manse
th her father, Colonel Mor -
daunt;" 1re Hugh dropped the letter and
hid hiceidee in his hands. "My God, I have
not deserved this goodneme" rose to his
lips; and then• he hastily finished the
sentence, "and she begged my aunt to
lshelter her and the child, as she had been
bliged to leave her husband; and as she
'ppee.red very ill and unhappy, my aunt
uld not do otherwise.
le The particulars I have gleaned from
0ere. 'Green de Richardson'* letter have
eertainly led me to the conclusion that Mrs.
Sictlair is really Lady Redmond. Mrs,
St, Cleir is certainly not nineteen, and her
baby is eleven months old; she is very
small in person,—indeed, in stature almost
a child; and every iteni in the lawyers' e
Mrs.
you th'I
only her
Hugh st
his face.
"She a'
Septeniber.
as a child,
„
borne, and only appears agitated wher, w kipg up tleteep little Amide eed case -
questions are lint to her. Her fixed idea teg 'melees Tee sse the weedeem, „mu..
beeme to he that her husband 'doe§ not Duncan saW h akekto,
went her. Her health has epffered much I eat coneinual
from ceaseless fretting, but the is better
neW, and the OP thrives in ollr Mountain *oldest DreMotte Nesele
air.
Faure, the baritone, ie going to Viennles
to sing in !spent end concerts.
Anton AnOinstOin hits ene&vored$o tustt
the operatic slid etsterio etYies ix a new.
work entitled ." Moses," -
Cowen, the composeha@ taken the Ithto,'
of Sir Arthur Suiliven fie conduotor of the
London Philharmonic concerts.
A posthumous operitof Flotow's, entitled
" The Musician,' has been applied, with,
fitir success to the patient people of Han-
over.
"As the sight of your handwriting would
only e*cite Mrs- S. Phtir'a nimPinumn, it
would be as well to put your 'mower under
cover, or telegraph your reply. I need not
tell you thet you will be welcome at the
Manse, if, you should tbink it well to come
to Rowan-Glen.—I remain dear sir, yours
faithfully Femur Dumeees "
A few hours later a telegram reached the
Manse.
"1 em on pay way; shall be at the Manse
to -morrow afternoon. No doubt of iden-
tity; unm'arired name Mordaunte—H.
REISMOilD:"
Aunt Jeanie must betaken into totede
se) now," was Fergue,', firet thought as be
read the telegram f his pecencleWare "beeter
sleep on if first ; women, are dreadful heeds
at keeping a ,secret. She - would • be
fondling her with tears in her dear old
eyes all the evening, and Mrs. St. Clair is
none so innocent, in spite of Jean and
Lilian calling her a woman -angel. Ay, but
she is a bonnie 'aside though, and brave.'
hearted as well," and the young rninisterle
eyes grew misty as he shut himself up in
the study to keep himself safe from the
temptation of telling Aunt Jefenie.
He had a sore wrestle for it though; bat
he prided himself on his wisdom; when,
after breakfast' the next morning, he led
the old lady into the study, and, after bid-
ding her prepare for a shock, informed her
that Mrs, St. Clair's husband, Sir Hugh
Redmond, would be down that very after-
noon.
He might well call Aunt Jeanie eoft, to
see her white curls shake tremulously,
and the tears running down her faded
cheeks.
Eh, my lad—eh, Fergus," she sobbed,
4' Mrs. SteClair's busband—the father of
her bairn. Oh, whatever will Jean say?
she will be running away and hiding them
both—she cannot bide the thought of that
man."
" Aunt Jeanie," broke in Fergus in his
most masterly voice, "1 hope you will not
be so foolish as to tell Jean; remember I
have trusted this to you became I know
you are wise and sensible,and will help me.
We have made onreelves responsible for
this poor child, and shall have to account
to Sir Hugh if we let her give us the
slip. I have said all along that no doubt
there were faults on both sides, only you
women will take each other's parts. Now,
I am off to the farm to see Lilian. Just
tell Jean that Ism expecting a friend, and
that the had better choose a fine plump
pair of chicks for supper; she will be for
guessing it is Lothian or Dan Ambleby, or
one of the old lot, and she will be so busy
with her BOOMS and pasties that one will
hardly venture to cross the kitchen." And
then, begging her to be careful that Mrs.
St. Clair might not guess anything from
Lilian.
15
Fergus strode off to the farm
to share his triumph and perplexities with
It was well for Aunt Jeanie that Fay was
extremely busy that day, finishing a frock
for her baby; so she sat in her own room
all the morning at the window overlooking
the orchard, and baby Hugh, as usual,
crawled at her feet.
He was a beautiful boy now, with the
fresh, fair complexion of the ltedmonds,
with rongh golden curie running over his
head, and large, solemn grey eyes. Fay had
taught him to say "dada," and would
cover him with passionate kisses when the
baby lips fashionedebe words. "'Yes, my
little boy shall go home to his father, some
day, when he can run about and speak
quite plain," she would' tell him; and at
the thought.of that day, when she should
give him up to Hugh, she would bury her
face in the fat creasy neck, and wet it
with ber tears. How would she ever live
without her child ?" she thought; but she
knew, for all that that she would give
him up.
When Fergus returned to luncheon, he
found Aunt Jectnie had worked herself
almost into a fever—her pretty old face
was flushed and tremulous, her eyes were
dim when Fay came into the room carry-
ing her boy.
" He is far too heavy for you, Mrs.
St. Clair," exclaimed Fergus, hastening to
relieve her. I know mother's arms are
generally strong, but still this big fellow
is no light weight. What are you going to
do with yourself this afternoon ? Aunt
Jeanie always takes a nap in Uncle Don-
ald's room, but I suppose ,you have not
come to the age of napping."
No," returned Fay with a smile; but
Jean has finished her preparation for the
strange gentleman, and she wants to take
baby down to Logill ; Mrs. Mackay has
promised her some eggs. It will do the
boy good, will it not, Mrs. Duncan ?" turn-
ing to the old lady; "and as I have been
working all the morning, and it is such a
lovely afternoon, I think I will go down to
the falls."
"That is an excellent idea," returned
Fergus with alacrity before his aunt could
answer. He had to put down the carver
to rub his hands, he was so pleased with
the way things were turning out—Mrs.
85. Clair safely at the falls, where they
knew exactly where to 'find he;
;
Jean, with the boy and her basket
of eggs comfortably occupied ell the after-
noon, and Aunt Jeanie obliged to stay with
Uncle Donald. Why, he would have the
coast clear and no mistake. Sir Hugh
would have no difficulty in making his ex-
planations with the Manse parlor empty of
its womankind.
He had received a second telegram, and
knew that the expected visitor might be
looked for in an hour's time ; but it was
long before that that he saw Jean with the
boy on one arneelnd the basket on she
other, strike out bravely down the Innery
feed, from which a cross lane led in the
direction of the village where the excem.
modating Mrs. Mackay lived.
A few minutes later Mrs. St. Clairpassed
the parlor window. It was a lovely May
day, and she wore a dainty sprieg dress—
* creamy silk fabric—and a little brovsn
velvet bat, which particularly suited her.
Rev. Dr. Warren claims that if there.
were no women on the stage no men would
go to the theatre. How does he account
for the time-honored popularity of minstrel.
bows?
Mine. Patti sends word to her American
friends that she loves them all and longs to
return to them—"they are so enthusiastic."'
This is the first authoritative announce -
'cleat that Patti contemplated another fare-
well tour in this comitry. •
In order to try the extent to which s.tragic actress ie moved by the whirl of
stage passion, Sarah Bernhardt's pulse,
was once tested at the wings immediately
after a scene of great intensity. It ticked
as regularly and normally as an eightelay
cloth.
Wilson Barrett proposes to revive the,
Princes's successes from " Lights of Lon-
don" and Romany 1tye " onward. In
She same way Grace Hawthorne talks of5
reviving all of Bouoicault's dramas on a
scale of magnificence not yet attempted
here. It is reported that Bouoicault him-
self will appear In well known characters:
Mr. Joseph Murphy, the comedian, he
about to sake a long rest from the stager
and will travel in Europe and otherwise
court leisure for s year at the close of this
season. During fifteen years of continuedj
work the actor has accumulated a large,
fortune, one of the largest among men of
his profession and now he will rest awhile,.
content with both fame and fortune.
Patti is going on a South American tour
in the spring. She says the birth of child-
ren has spoiled Gerster's voice, as it will.
shy woman's. Patti has no children.
"Mme. Nileson's voice is as good as ever,"
added Patti, "only she prefers not to singe
Then I hear that Mlle. Arnoldson, who is,
young and pretty, has a remarkably sweet
voice; but what is this I, hear about her•
engagement to Robert Strakosoh ? Is it
true ?" e I think not," the correspondent.
replied; "1 heard M. Strakosish himself;
deny it to -day."
Little Josef Hofmann a few months ago
was asked by an English lady of high de-
gree to spend a week at her country seat.
He was too well bred and too knowing to,
decline the invitation. To his father, bow-•
ever, he whispered:" I don't want to go,
and I won't go 1" "Why not?" asked hie,
father, not a little dismayed. Why ?'''
Because there are too many ladies in those
English places. And they out off my hair
and they ask me to write in their albums.
all day long, and—they kiss me and hag
me from morning till night—and I don't.
like it, there !" Just you wait ten wears,
little Master Josef, and then—.
A Steamboat Bace,on the Pacific.
From a gentleman who arrived here yes-
terday we lean the particulars of a great.
steamboat race which took place on Mon-
day between the sidewheel steamer Yose-
mite, late pride of the Sacramento River,.
and the Canadien Pacific Navigation Com-
pany's new steamer Premier. Ever since•
the latter arrived from San Francisco there.
has been a great rivalry between the cap-.
tains of the two boats as to which is the,
faster. About a week ago they had a little
brush for about ten miles, when it wage
claimed that the Yosemite gained on the
propeller, and a great deal of talk was made
about it at Victoria and elsewhere. Last,
Monday the Yosemite came down out of the
Fraser River into the Gulf, and rounded,
the buoy about half a mile ahead of the.
Premier. Both boats were on the alert,
expecting to meet at that point and it is.
needless to say were all ready for a big
race. As soon as the Premier sighted the-
sidewheeler she gave chase and for a time.
it seemed as though she would be unable to.
overtake her rival, but as steam came up,
to the full amount allowed by law and her
screw began to turn over at the rate of 124
revolutions per minute she commenced to
come up on the Yosemite and passed her.
As she came along the sidewheeler wae
making 24 turns per minute and fairly
flying through the water. The new boat.
proved too long-winded for her rival, and
in the fourteen -mile race across the gulf
led the sidewheeler fully two miles. It is.
stated that the Premier developed a speed
of over sixteen miles per hour during the
race. Considerablesooney changed bands .
on the result. —Seattle Post..Intelligeneer of
Dec. 7th.
Christmas Among the Esquirnaux.
For the benefit of such of our readers as
have never spent a winter in Labrador,
Alaska, or other countries of the far North,
we will relate some interesting facts
illustrative of their manner of keeping
Chrietnaae.
The winter residences of the Esquimaux
are made of blocks of solid snow with thin
sheets of ice for windows. Thus the glazier
in that country carries Ids materials for
patching up windows in an ice waggon.
Esquimanx children hang up their seal-
skin socks on Christmas Eve. They, like'
our own little folks appreciate a pair of
skates or a sled, butin place of candy they
long for blubber. When.a young Esquimau
wakes up in the morning ,and finds his
stocking full of blubber he is happy. If he
doesn't—well, he blubbers all the same.
Their Christmas dinner is a rare feast
for them. It consiete of a chunk of raw
whale with a sauce of rose-colored hair -oil,
washed down with a flagon of seal's bleed.
Tallow candles with dip are served as
dessert,
Rev. Daniel P. • Pike, whose death has
lately been announced at Newburyport,
Mass., is credited with preaching 5,000
As she saw Verges, she looked up and sermons, marrying more than 2,000 persons,
smiled, and then called ,Nero to order as he conducting more than 2,000 funeral% and
scampered Ardengst the flower beche baptising (by immersion) nearly 1,100
a' Ay, my lady, I have my grip of you
ow " be observed w ^ a learn in his onverts.
letter is fully corroborated.
" We levee not beeri able Id gain any '
inforreittioe from Mrs. St. Cleft' herself;
she declines to explain Why ger has left her ith
yea; as he turned away According to Sir Sohn Lubbock, the
later be heard tiegreee knew nothing of he art of
About twenty minutes kissing until it was taught theni by Can.
heclick Of the gato, end saw a tall, fair- ciltiam3,
eerded man a tvlinsutrael,